A historic hall in Norwich has been shortlisted for the Connect 10 competition, a major national prize as part of the national Museums at Night project, the annual UK-wide festival which seeks to encourage visitors into museums, galleries and heritage sites by throwing their doors open after hours.

Dragon Hall has been shortlisted from hundreds of venues across the country that made submissions to win the involvement of top contemporary artists in their Museums at Night event. From these, the 10 artists, in collaboration with organisers Culture 24, chose those they would most like to work with, and now the final winners will be decided by a public vote.

Dragon Hall bid to work with Richard Wentworth CBE. If they win the public vote Richard will visit the medieval building and create custom works of art for and at their Museums at Night event In the Company of the Curious: Steampunk at Dragon Hall on the evening of 16 May. Richard has played a leading role in British Sculpture since the end of the 1970s. His work has altered the traditional definition of sculpture, subversively transforming and manipulating industrial and/or found objects into works of art.

Sarah Power, Heritage Engagement Manager at Dragon Hall said ‘We’re all really excited to reach the shortlist, a significant achievement in itself. Now of course we really want to win but realise we can only do so by being organised and motivating the public to vote for us – we’re facing stiff competition from high profile museums in Manchester, Gloucester and York. I urge everyone to vote for us, every vote for Dragon Hall will help us to raise the profile of all museums and Museums at Night events in the east of England on a national level ’.

Sarah is keen to talk to organisations and groups who can help support the bid and organise people to vote, contact her via [email protected] or 01603 677623.

Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of Norwich HEART commented ‘It’s fantastic that Dragon Hall has been shortlisted for this award, especially as no other venues in the region have been successful. As one of the Norwich 12 buildings – the UK’s finest set of iconic heritage buildings representing 1,000 years of history – Dragon Hall is unique in Europe and events such as these are a brilliant way for new audiences to enjoy its magnificent medieval trading hall. Norwich HEART is fully behind the campaign for votes and I urge everyone to vote for Dragon Hall.’

Voting is open now and continues to 5pm on Tuesday 5 March 2013. Everyone with a valid email address can vote, including those on shared or public computers.

Just click here to VOTE: and, each vote takes Dragon Hall, Norfolk and the east of England one step closer to national recognition!

Sarah Power is available for interviews and photocalls to help encourage votes. Please contact Steve Forster 01603 661459 or [email protected] to arrange a time.

Museums at Night is an annual UK-wide festival that seeks to encourage visitors into museums, galleries and heritage sites by throwing their doors open after hours and putting on special evening events.The campaign is core funded by Arts Council England, with extra funding from Grants for the Arts to support the Connect10 competition.

Further information at www.dragonhall.org

 

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